Springett Tribute To Keen

Former Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Ron Springett told of his sadness to hear of the death of League Cup winning captain Mike Keen.

Speaking to Ben Kosky at the Kilburn Times, the former Rangers stopper revealed that the news was broken to him by cup winning winger Mark Lazarus.

He said: 'I last saw him about a year ago and I was certainly shocked when Mark rang me up and told me the news.'

'Mike was a bit shy, but on the field he was a different character, he was like two different people. He was a very good captain, always looking out for me and calling 'yours, Ron!'

'The team spirit was tremendous when we went up - our manager, Alec Stock, was a father figure and no-one could take liberties with him. He demanded 100 per cent on the field and he got that from Mike.'

Ron and Mike were part of the team that finished achieved promotion from Division Two with Ron`s brother Peter keeping goal in the infamous 1967 cup final in which Keen lifted Rangers only major trophy.

Mike Keen passed away aged 69 on Saturday following a short illness. He had spells with Luton Town and Watford making 663 appearances combined for the trio. He went on to manage the Hornets as well as Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers.